Most homeowners get one or two roofs in their lifetime, which means the process isn’t something you’ve necessarily thought through before. If you’re facing a replacement and wondering, “What does a new roof include?” the answer goes well beyond shingles. A roof replacement is a layered system, and every component has a specific job. Knowing what those components are helps you ask better questions and understand what you’re actually paying for.
The Tear-Off: Removing What’s There
A full roof replacement starts with removing the existing roof down to the deck. Some contractors will install new shingles over old ones, called a layover, but this approach masks problems rather than fixing them, adds dead weight, and shortens the life of the new material. A proper tear-off exposes the deck so it can be inspected and repaired before anything new goes on.
In West Virginia, where hail, wind, and freeze-thaw cycles stress roofs year-round, what’s hiding under old shingles often tells the real story. Soft spots, rotted sheathing, and failed flashing don’t show up on a surface inspection. They show up when the old material comes off.
Deck Repair or Replacement
The roof deck is the structural layer everything else is fastened to, typically plywood or OSB board nailed to the rafters. Any sections that are soft, warped, or water-damaged get replaced before new material goes down. Skipping this step creates a weak foundation that will shorten the lifespan of every layer above it.
The cost of deck repair varies depending on how much needs to be replaced. Cardinal Roofing provides free estimates within 24 hours, including drone inspections that give a full aerial view of the deck condition before work begins. Catching deck damage early prevents a straightforward job from turning into a much larger one.
What Does a New Roof Include, Material by Material
Once the deck is sound, the installation follows a specific sequence. Each layer serves a distinct function, and the order matters.
Ice and Water Shield to Protect Your Home
The ice and water shield goes on first at the eaves, valleys, and any penetration points like skylights or chimneys. This self-adhering membrane protects against ice dams, a common issue in West Virginia winters when warm attic air melts snow at the ridge and sends water running toward the cold eaves where it refreezes and backs up under shingles.
Underlayment to Shield to Roof Deck
The underlayment covers the rest of the deck above the shield layer. Synthetic underlayment has replaced traditional felt on most modern installations because it’s lighter, more resistant to tearing during installation, and holds up better if the roof has to sit exposed before shingles go on.
Drip Edge to Control Water
The drip edge is is the metal strip along the eaves and rakes that channels water off the edge of the roof and away from the fascia. Without it, water wicks behind the shingles and rots the fascia board, which leads to soffit and fascia damage that compounds quickly and costs more to fix than the drip edge would have.
Flashing to Redirect Water from Your Home
Roof flashing seals every point where the roof plane meets a vertical surface: chimneys, walls, dormers, vent pipes, and skylights – along with the ridge cap or ridge vent at the top of the roof. Step flashing and counter flashing are installed in layers to redirect water away from these transitions. More leaks trace back to failed or missing flashing than to failed shingles.
Asphalt Shingles: The Main Roofing Layer
Asphalt shingles are the most common choice across West Virginia for good reason; they perform well against the region’s hail, wind, and temperature swings at a price point most homeowners can work with. Cardinal Roofing installs CertainTeed shingles across multiple product tiers. Architectural (dimensional) shingles offer better wind resistance and a more substantial look than standard three-tab. Premium (luxury) shingles mimic the appearance of slate or cedar shake. For homes in hail-prone areas, Impact Resistant (IR) shingles can qualify for insurance discounts while providing measurable protection against the hail events that hit the region hardest in April and May.
As a CertainTeed ShingleMaster certified contractor, Cardinal Roofing installs the full CertainTeed system, not just the shingle, which is what the certification actually requires. The underlayment, starter strips, hip and ridge caps, and ventilation components all work together as a matched system.
Ridge Cap Shingles and Ventilation to Improve Air Flow
Ridge cap shingles and roof ventilation finish the job at the peak of the roof. Ridge vents run along the top of the roof and pair with soffit intake vents to move air through the attic year-round. This airflow keeps attic temperatures regulated, which extends the life of the deck and shingles and prevents condensation buildup that causes mold and rot from the inside out.
Workmanship and Warranty Coverage
A new roof includes more than materials. It includes the quality of the installation itself, not just knowing how many bundles of shingles cover a square of roof. Cardinal Roofing backs every job with a 5-year workmanship warranty, which covers the installation details, flashing, fastening, ventilation, sequencing, not just what came out of the box.
If your replacement is tied to storm damage, Cardinal Roofing also handles insurance assistance, walking homeowners through the documentation and claims process from the initial roof inspection through final carrier approval. Wind and hail claims in particular require specific documentation of damage patterns, and having a contractor who knows how to present that to an adjuster makes a difference in the outcome.
Financing a New Roof
The average asphalt shingle replacement in West Virginia runs around $15,000. That’s not a small number, and most homeowners aren’t sitting on that in cash. Wisetack financing through Cardinal Roofing brings that within reach. Payments can start as low as $99 a month with no money down and low-interest options available. The process is straightforward and doesn’t require waiting months to move forward on a roof that needs replacing now. Contact us today for a free estimate.
